Marshall & Edgar, Lilybank Foundry, Dundee
- Reference:GB 254 MS 46
- Dates of Creation:1836-1847
- Name of Creator:
- Physical Description:2 items
Scope and Content
Order book 1836 - 1847; worker's time book 1845 - 1847
Administrative / Biographical History
It appears that the Lilybank Foundry was originally owned by Marshall and Edgar who were bankrupted between 1835 and 1837. The foundry was subsequently taken over by Keay and Rattray, the major creditors. John Bower Rattray died in a railway accident at Wolverhampton in 1847, after which his partner retired and put up the Foundry for sale. The foundry then passed to James Steel. Steel was the son of a crofter/farmer from the Carse of Gowrie, had learned his engineering skills in Dundee and had risen to become a major partner in the Wallace Foundry and a director of the Watt Institute. With his two sons, James and John, he established James Steel and Sons. The foundry concentrated on light engineering, producing machinery and goods for the textile industry, Dundee Water Company and the Dundee Perth Railway among others. They also specialised in the building of water-power engines. Never in good health, James Steel died in 1852 and was quickly followed by his elder son, leaving John in sole charge of Lilybank Foundry. Reputedly more adept at the practical rather than the management side of the business, John Steel failed to meet a large order which saw the sequestration of the firm's assets in 1857. Lilybank Foundry subsequently passed through several hands, before finally being demolished in the 1970s.
Arrangement
Usually chronological within series.
Access Information
Open for consultation subject to preservation requirements. Access must also conform to the restrictions of the Data Protection Act (2018), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018) and any other relevant legislation or restrictions. Clinical information is closed for 100 years.
Note
It appears that the Lilybank Foundry was originally owned by Marshall and Edgar who were bankrupted between 1835 and 1837. The foundry was subsequently taken over by Keay and Rattray, the major creditors. John Bower Rattray died in a railway accident at Wolverhampton in 1847, after which his partner retired and put up the Foundry for sale. The foundry then passed to James Steel. Steel was the son of a crofter/farmer from the Carse of Gowrie, had learned his engineering skills in Dundee and had risen to become a major partner in the Wallace Foundry and a director of the Watt Institute. With his two sons, James and John, he established James Steel and Sons. The foundry concentrated on light engineering, producing machinery and goods for the textile industry, Dundee Water Company and the Dundee Perth Railway among others. They also specialised in the building of water-power engines. Never in good health, James Steel died in 1852 and was quickly followed by his elder son, leaving John in sole charge of Lilybank Foundry. Reputedly more adept at the practical rather than the management side of the business, John Steel failed to meet a large order which saw the sequestration of the firm's assets in 1857. Lilybank Foundry subsequently passed through several hands, before finally being demolished in the 1970s.
Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements
Paper
Archivist's Note
Description compiled by Gary Smith
Conditions Governing Use
Reproduction is available subject to preservation requirements. Charges may be made for this service, and copyright and other restrictions may apply; please check with the Duty Archivist.
Custodial History
Unknown
Accruals
Not expected
Additional Information
Published
Catalogued
MS 46
Subjects